§ 6. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of bakers who drew a subsidy on flour in 1946, 1950, and 1954.
Mr. AmoryThe number of bakers claiming bread subsidy was 17,760 in 1946, 15,403 in 1950 and some 13,500 in 1954.
§ Mr. CrouchCan my right hon. Friend say whether this indicates that there has been a great falling off in country bakers and that they are finding it impossible to carry on their business under present conditions?
Mr. AmoryThere have been a good many amalgamations, and, of course, this period has seen a very considerable increase in the practice of central baking.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these large bakeries are now beginning to monopolise bread-baking in this country, that the small baker has been steadily squeezed out, and that he has had a pretty raw deal under the present Government?
Mr. AmoryI would point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the greater part of the decrease shown here took place during the period of the last Government.